Membership cards

ABSTRACT

A code carrier, on which multiple barcodes corresponding to independent entities are printed or stored, is disclosed. The barcodes are arranged on the code carrier and angled such that a barcode reader may individually read a desired barcode and the barcodes are surrounded in distinctive colors. A code carrier provider maintains a data base of users and their corresponding barcode identifiers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/355,036, filed Feb. 14, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/698,142, filed Jul. 11, 2005.

The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Membership cards, such as health club cards, video rental cards, librarycards, promotional cards, discount cards, and loyalty cards (e.g.,frequent flyer cards, grocery discount cards, and the like) are widelyused. The proliferation of such membership cards has escalated to thepoint where 63% of the population across Europe possesses two or moreloyalty cards, and nearly 80% of all grocery transactions in the U.S.take place with a membership card (AC Nielsen).

Membership cards may include a variety of different indicia to identifythe card, the individual using the card, a membership account, anexpiration date, and other information. The indicia may include a stringof alphanumeric characters, a barcode, or an encoded magnetic stripattached to the card. In the case where barcodes are used as theindicia, an organization typically creates a membership card thatincludes only one such barcode.

Vendors that wish to track member activity typically want to ensure thateach user of an account receive a membership card that is appropriatelyassociated with the membership account. Unfortunately, these cards havetaken over the space in people's wallets and purses.

Vendors have also issued smaller versions of their loyalty cards thatare designed to be attached to a keychain. These devices contain onlythe basic indicia representing the membership identifier, such as asingle barcode containing the owner's membership number. This hasresulted in cumbersome key chains that burden the consumer just as muchas the cards. The typical consumer now carries several cards in hiswallet and a plethora of key chain tokens. Furthermore, while consumersare being bombarded with new card offers daily, they still have to carrycredit cards, driver's licenses, and often choose to carry pictures oftheir loved ones as well.

In one attempt to reduce the number of such cards carried by anindividual, barcode numbers are provided to a card provider that printsseveral barcodes on one card. See www.one-der-card.com.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a mechanism by which all of the informationrequired to interact with existing merchant loyalty programs may beunified into one easy to carry accessory. This accessory may replaceseveral memberships cards along with a personal photograph, and may bedesigned to operate with barcode readers from several differentorganizations that do not have a partnership or pre-existingrelationship.

The invention also represents a vehicle for companies that do not have apresence in consumers' wallets, and allows them to occupy themuch-coveted wallet space. By prominently featuring their brand on theinvention, companies can effectively displace existing brands containedon the loyalty cards which are already carried by the consumers.

Card users may avoid having to carry multiple membership cards and keytags by consolidating the relevant information on a single code carryingdevice. The barcodes corresponding to each organization's membershipcard are printed on the substrate of the code carrier.

The code carrier may take the shape of a rectangular card, but is notlimited to any specific form. The carrier may also take the shape of akey tag (for use with a key chain), or may even be a cover for anotherdevice (such as for an MP3 player or wireless telephone). The codecarrier may also be an electronic device that displays individualbarcodes.

A user of multiple membership cards forwards all relevant information toa code carrier provider. The information includes barcode identifiers inthe form of barcodes or data to be converted to barcodes. The providerthen arranges the barcodes on the code carrier and forwards it back tothe user. The provider may arrange the barcodes in a manner thatfacilitates each barcode to be individually read by a barcode reader.This may be achieved by arranging the adjacent barcodes at angles, forexample, such that no barcode is within ten degrees of rotation from, ordirectly in line with another barcode. Preferably, the barcodes aresurrounded by distinctive colors in order to distinguish the barcodesduring scanning of individual codes. The layout of the barcodes may beis performed manually or by an automated system.

In addition to the barcodes, the user may forward sets of datacontaining other useful information to be printed on the code carrier,for example, frequent flyer account numbers or important telephonenumbers. The code carrier may also be customized with the addition of apersonalized graphic, such as a photograph that the user would normallycarry in his wallet. Permanent product or establishment coupons may alsobe provided on the code carrier to, for example, assure discounts orawards with respect to particular products. All of the necessaryinformation may be forwarded in person, by mail, or even via theinternet. The user may establish an account with the code carrierprovider such that the data is stored for use in obtaining subsequentcarriers.

Upon receiving the code carrier, the user may present the code carrierat a merchant's location for the reading of an individual barcode. Toassist the barcode reader in reading a desired barcode, the user mayblock all barcodes except the relevant barcode, for example, by blockingsome of the barcodes with the user's hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a view of a code carrier in the form of a rectangular cardwith barcodes arranged in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a code carrier in the form of a diamond shaped keytag with barcodes arranged in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a first side of a code carrier containing a personalizedgraphic in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a second side of the code carrier of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a method by which the orientation angle of a barcode may bedetermined;

FIG. 6 shows how the code carriers in FIGS. 1 and 4 may be held with onehand to block all but the relevant barcode;

FIG. 7 shows how the code carrier in FIG. 2. may be held with one handto block all but the relevant barcode;

FIG. 8 is a view of a vinyl sheet designed to be a cover for a portablemusic player or wireless telephone with the barcodes arranged inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart diagram that depicts an algorithm for determiningthe layout of barcodes on a code carrier.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between a code carrier, a code carrieruser, a code carrier manufacturer, and independent membership cardorganizations.

FIGS. 11A-E illustrate credit card size cards having four to eightbarcodes, respectively, thereon, each code surrounded by a distinctivecolor.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate two sides of a key fob supporting fourbarcodes per side, each code surrounded by a distinctive color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows. Itshould be understood that the following description only illustrates thepreferred embodiments of the invention and should not be used tonarrowly interpret the scope of the invention. In addition, variousaspects of the invention are described below. It should be understoodthat these various aspects might be used in a variety of differentcombinations. Therefore, the illustrative embodiments described beloware not intended to show all aspects of the invention, but are ratherused to describe a few embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a first and a second side 110, 120 of a code carrier in theform of a rectangular plastic card. On the first side 110 of the card, astandard advertising image may be placed to mark the brand of the codecarrier provider. This image would be pre-determined in this embodiment,while the reverse of the card would be customized on aconsumer-by-consumer basis. The second side 120 of the card contains theinformation forwarded by the card user that is relevant to his needs.For example, if the user wanted to include five barcodes on the codecarrier, then the layout of the card may resemble Option 1 130. If theuser wanted to include eight barcodes and an additional set of data 150,representing the user's useful information, then the layout of the cardmay resemble Option 2 140. The layout of the barcodes and of the otherinformation may be determined by the algorithm 900 outlined in FIG. 9.

FIG. 2 shows a first and a second side 210, 220 of a code carrier in theform of a diamond shaped key tag. The embodiment's shape allows it to beeasily carried on a key chain. The first side 210 of the key tagprovides a small area where a standard advertising image may be placedto mark the brand of the code carrier provider. The edges of the key tagmay be customized on a user-by-user basis. The second side 220 of thekey tag may also be customized on a user-by-user basis and may containan additional set of data 230 representing the user's usefulinformation. The layout of the barcodes and of the other information maybe determined by the algorithm 900 outlined in FIG. 9.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a first and a second side 300, 400 of a codecarrier in the form of a rectangular plastic card. On the first side 300of the card, the user's personal photograph or graphic 310 (e.g., thewoman and child on the front of the card) may stand alone or be coupledwith a small section containing advertising or branding of a sponsoringorganization 320 (e.g., the dark area to the left of the woman and childcontaining the U-shaped logo). This information may vary by user andrequires the forwarding of additional information to the code carrierprovider. The second side 400 of the card contains the informationforwarded by the user that is relevant to his needs. If the user wantedto include eight barcodes and an additional set of data 410,representing the user's useful information, then the layout of the cardmay resemble FIG. 4. The layout of the barcodes and of the otherinformation may be determined by the algorithm 900 outlined in FIG. 9.

FIG. 5 shows how the orientation angle of a barcode may be determined.The orientation angle is a relative angle measurement and refers to therotational angle between two barcodes. The bottom edge of a firstbarcode determines a baseline from which the angle is measured. Thebaseline reference is then compared to the bottom edge of a secondbarcode. The angle between the two bottom edges determines theorientation angle. For example, a first barcode 510 in FIG. 5, markedzero degrees, sets a baseline for comparison. A second barcode 520,pivoting on its bottom left corner, creates a ten degree angle oforientation relative to the first barcode 510. A third barcode 530 isrotated further and creates a forty-five degree angle of orientationrelative to the first barcode 510. This concept is utilized in thealgorithm 900 outlined in FIG. 9.

The orientation angle between barcodes helps to separate the barcodesfrom each other, and to create a mechanical block to linear and fixedorientation barcode scanners. Because these types of barcode scanners,or readers, look for contiguous and linear patterns of high energyabsorption and low energy absorption indicated by the reflection oflight beams against dark and light surfaces (the vertical bars in abarcode), any barcode or pattern that is not substantially parallel tothe desired barcode will be discarded or ignored. Furthermore, as theuser of the invention will most likely rotate the code carrier such thatthe barcode to be read is aligned with the scanner, the other barcodeson the code carrier will be out of sync with the scanner, and thereforeignored. For example, a scanner aligned with the first barcode 510 willmost likely not be able to read the complete patterns put forth by thesecond barcode 520 and the third barcode 530.

FIG. 6 demonstrates a mechanical obstruction mechanism designed to helpbarcode scanners read a desired barcode. The grey ovals 610, 620, 630,640, 650, 660 demonstrate how the palm of a user's hand and theirfingers naturally cover a majority of the barcodes with the exception ofthe desired barcode. The notion is not to force the user to always gripthe invention in such a way as to cover the barcodes, but to simplyreduce the number of barcodes displayed. The combination of severalphysical and layout factors will enable the user to present theappropriate barcode to the corresponding merchant. For example, greyoval 640 covers five barcodes, leaves two barcodes 641, 642 partiallyobstructed, and one barcode 643 fully exposed. This, coupled with theorientation angle defined in FIG. 5, helps to ensure that the desiredbarcode 643 is read. The algorithm 900 outlined in FIG. 9 furtherrefines this approach.

FIG. 7 demonstrates a mechanical obstruction mechanism designed to helpbarcode scanners read a desired barcode. The grey ovals 710, 720, 730,740 demonstrate how the palm of a user's hand and their fingersnaturally cover a majority of the barcodes with the exception of thedesired barcode. The notion is not to force the user to always grip theinvention in such a way as to cover the barcodes, but to simply reducethe number of barcodes displayed. The combination of several physicaland layout factors will enable the user to present the appropriatebarcode to the corresponding merchant. For example, grey oval 720 coversone barcode, leaves two barcodes 721, 722 partially obstructed, and onebarcode 723 fully exposed. This, coupled with the orientation angledefined in FIG. 5, helps to ensure that the desired barcode 723 is read.The algorithm 900 outlined in FIG. 9 further refines this approach.

FIG. 8 shows a flattened vinyl surface 800 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The embodiment may be a cover for awireless telephone or an MP3 player such as Apple's iPOD. An example ofsuch a cover appears on the webpagehttp://www.speckproducts.com/for-3g.html. The surface of the cover maycontain imagery or information in pre-determined regions 810, 820 andmay provide for regions that are dedicated to the placement of barcodesand other information 830, 840. The images may be customized on auser-by-user basis. The layout of the barcodes and other information maybe determined by the algorithm 900 outlined in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart diagram that depicts an algorithm 900 fordetermining the optimum placement (best-fit layout) of barcodes on aparticular surface. The algorithm 900 requires the collection of fourkey data sets: surface 901, merchant 913, symbology 920, and user 924.

The algorithm 900 first gathers information 901 about the surface uponwhich the barcodes and other information will be rendered. The number ofexternal corners 902 of the surface is determined and the X-Ycoordinates 904 are ascertained for each external corner. Thisinformation is used to determine the external surface area andboundaries 906 of the surface. The information may be stored in an arraythat contains the range of X-Y coordinates for a particular surface.

There may exist areas on the surface where nothing may be printed. Thenumber of these areas 903, and the number of the corresponding internalcorners 905 are determined. For each internal area, the X-Y coordinates907 are ascertained, the surface area 908 is calculated, and added tothe total surface area of excluded regions 910 of the surface. Thesesteps are repeated 909 for all the internal areas. This information isparticularly useful for defining pre-determined areas on the surface,such as the advertising regions in FIG. 3, or areas where graphics willbe placed. The available surface area 911 is calculated by subtractingthe surface area of the excluded regions 910 from the total surface area906. The available surface area 911 may be represented as an array ofX-Y coordinates 912 in the surface record 901.

The algorithm 900 then collects the merchant barcode setup information913. For each merchant's barcode, it is important to determine whetherthe collected information is valid, and to determine the properties thata particular merchant's barcode readers expect when reading a barcode.The number of digits in the barcode 914 is collected, and the type ofsymbology 915 of the barcode is determined (for example, UPC or EAN). Ifa check digit 916 exists for the merchant's barcode, the information iscollected concerning the check digit 916. A merchant record is created917, and the collected information is stored in a merchant record 913.

Before the merchant can be completely defined, it is important tocollect additional information about its particular type of symbology915. The ratio 921 between the height of the bars to the width of thecomplete string of bars for the particular symbology 915 is determined,as well as the number of digits 922 (for example, an EAN barcodecontains 13 digits). The minimum surface area 923 for the barcode isdetermined and stored with the other information collected for theparticular type of symbology 915 in a symbology record 920.

The merchant record 913 and its corresponding symbology record 920 arethen coupled 918 and the minimum barcode size 919 for the merchant'sbarcode is determined. The minimum barcode size 919 is stored in anarray of X-Y coordinate points in the merchant record 913.

The collection of user-specific information 924 is necessary todetermine the particular set of barcodes and other information that willplaced on the code carrier. The number of merchant barcodes 925 that theuser wishes to include is determined. For each selected merchant barcode926, the user's barcode number is collected 927 along with the checkdigit, and verified 928 by comparing the barcode number and the barcodecheck digit. The collected information is stored in a user record 929.

After collecting the information associated with the surface 901,merchant 913, symbology 920, and user 924, the barcodes may be arrangedin a best-fit layout 930. It must be determined whether, at completesaturation, the user's selected merchant barcodes will fit within theselected surface. The number of X-Y coordinates for each of the selectedmerchant barcodes is summed 931. If this summed number is greater thanthe number of available points 912 on the surface, then the number ofselected merchant barcodes to be placed on the surface needs to bereduced 932.

If the summed number is less then the number of available points 912 onthe surface, then a first draft layout 933 of the barcodes is created.Utilizing the X-Y coordinate values 912 in the surface record 901, eachselected merchant barcode is assigned a coordinate value such that thebarcodes do not overlap and the coordinate values occupy points on thesurface that represent the outside edges or the outside perimeter (forexample, 0,0 or 0,34). It is important to orient each selected merchantbarcode as close as possible to the edges, or perimeters, of the surfacesuch that the bottom of each barcode tends to follow the outside edge ofthe surface.

The layout 933 is then further optimized by minimizing the number ofmerchant barcodes with the same type of symbology being placed adjacentto each other on the surface. Because barcode scanning systems areprogrammed to look for a particular symbology (for example, EAN-13 orUPC-A), it is beneficial to refrain from placing merchant barcodes withlike symbologies adjacent to each other on the surface. To accomplishthis, it is first determined 934 whether two or more of the user'sselected merchant barcodes use the same type of symbology. If so, itmust then be determined 935 whether more then one type of symbologyexists in the list of the user's merchant barcodes. If there is only onetype of symbology within the user's merchant barcodes, then the layout933 may not be optimized based on symbology type. However, if more thanone type of symbology exists, then the layout 933 may be modified 936such that merchant barcodes with like symbologies are separated bymerchant barcodes with different symbologies. This new configuration 937is stored as the layout 933.

The layout 933 is further optimized 938 with respect to the orientationangles of the barcodes as illustrated and explained in FIG. 5. Theoptimum angle between neighboring merchants is ninety degrees. If themerchant barcodes cannot be placed on the surface such that for eachbarcode the angle between neighboring barcodes is ninety degrees, thenthe angle between the barcodes must be incrementally decreased 939 (to aminimum of ten degrees) until the merchant barcodes can be placed on thesurface. This new configuration 940 is stored as the layout 933.

If it is determined 941 that the layout 933 contains a merchant barcodethat has an orientation angle of either zero degrees or one hundred andeighty degrees with respect to another barcode, and it is directly inline with that barcode, then the layout is modified 942 such that thetwo barcodes are offset by a minimum of twenty-five pixels or coordinatepoints. This new configuration 943 is stored as the layout 933. Finally,the layout 933 is converted into a final image 944 and combined with anybackground pictures or graphics.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between a code carrier, a code carrieruser, a code carrier manufacturer, and independent membership cardorganizations. A user 1010 receives multiple membership cards 1020 fromindependent entities 1030, each membership card including a barcode. Theuser 1010 of the multiple membership cards 1020 forwards all relevantinformation to a code carrier provider 1040. The cards may be forwardedto the provider 1040, or the membership numbers may be entered in a format the provider's internet website. The provider may have a database ofthe barcode types (e.g., code 128, UPC-A, EAN13, 3 of 9) used by variousentities. With that information and the alphanumeric membershipidentifier, the barcode can be generated. The provider 1040 thenarranges the barcodes on a code carrier 1050 and forwards it back to theuser 1010. Upon receiving the code carrier 1050, the user 1010 maypresent the code carrier 1050 at the independent entities'establishments 1060 for reading of individual barcodes.

The card carrier provider may maintain a user account in a data base tofacilitate updating a user's card carrier as new barcodes are identifiedor to provide additional code carriers. The data base may also be usedto provide other code carriers such as RFID, smart card, or magneticstripe devices, or devices with mixed technologies such as barcode andRFID.

Code carriers may be purchased on-line or from a retailer. Whenpurchased from a retailer, the user may receive an account number toenable access to an on-line supplier. Code carriers may also be givenaway in promotional efforts.

Optimized arrangements of four to eight barcodes on credit card sized(cr-80) cards are presented in FIGS. 11A-E. In each example, the regionsurrounding each barcode is a distinct color. This facilitates use ofthe card in that the owner of the card may simply instruct a store clerkor the like to “scan yellow” or any other appropriate color.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate two sides of a key fob, each sidesupporting four barcodes surrounded by distinctive colors.

Further embodiments of the invention may take electronic form. Forexample, the provider may download, to a PDA device or other compactelectronic display device, any number of entity associated barcodes. Theuser may then call up individual barcodes as needed. Such animplementation relies on a non-reflective display screen so that thebarcode scanner is able to distinguish the barcode segments in theelectronic display.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims.

1. A code carrier comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of barcodesprinted on the substrate with adjacent barcodes angled relative to eachother, including adjacent barcodes angled obliquely relative to eachother, the barcodes corresponding to independent entities.
 2. The codecarrier of claim 1 including barcodes for product related coupons. 3.The code carrier of claim 1 wherein the code carrier includes at leastone graphic personalized to a user.
 4. The code carrier of claim 1wherein the code carrier includes at least one set of data, in additionto the barcodes, printed on the substrate.
 5. The code carrier of claim1 wherein the substrate is a card.
 6. The code carrier of claim 1wherein the substrate is a key tag.
 7. The code carrier of claim 1wherein the substrate is a cover.
 8. The code carrier of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of barcodes includes at least one barcode of a storeaccount.
 9. The code carrier of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofbarcodes includes at least one barcode of a membership account.
 10. Thecode carrier of claim 1 wherein each barcode of the plurality ofbarcodes is associated with a distinctive color distinguishing thebarcode from other barcodes.
 11. The code carrier of claim 1 wherein theplurality of barcodes includes at least five barcodes printed on a sideof the substrate.
 12. A code carrier comprising: a substrate; and aplurality of barcodes printed on the substrate, each barcode associatedby distinctive color that distinguishes the barcode from other barcodes,the barcodes corresponding to independent entities.
 13. A method ofmanufacturing a code carrier comprising: establishing a user account andstoring identifiers corresponding to independent entities in the useraccount; providing barcodes corresponding to the identifiers on the codecarrier; and forwarding the code carrier to the user.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 further including receiving the identifiers from the user, theidentifiers including a graphic personalized to the user and providingincludes providing the graphic on the code carrier.
 15. The method ofclaim 13 further including receiving the identifiers from the user, theidentifiers including a set of data in addition to the identifiers andproviding includes providing the set of data on the code carrier. 16.The method of claim 13 further including arranging the barcodes on thecode carrier such that no barcode is within ten degrees of rotation fromanother barcode.
 17. The method of claim 13 further including arrangingthe barcodes on the code carrier such that all adjacent barcodes areangled relative to each other.
 18. The method of claim 13 furtherincluding automatically arranging the barcodes on the code carrier. 19.The method of claim 13 wherein the barcodes are associated withdistinctive colors.
 20. The method of claim 13 wherein the barcodes aresurrounded with distinctive colors.
 21. A method of claim 13 wherein thecode carrier is an electronic device having a display and the barcodesare stored electronically in the device for display on the display. 22.An electronic code carrier comprising: a display; electronics storing aplurality of barcodes for display on the display, the barcodescorresponding to independent entities.